My first ST1300 service experience.
I am doing this at West Coast Powersports on US19 in Clearwater.
14996 US-19 N, Clearwater, FL 33764
www.WestCoastPowerSports.com
(727) 536-4791
I reached the 600 mile oil change and general “once over” servicing milestone on my new ST1300 on 09/01/2011 very quickly.
I can honestly say, I have had less than satisfactory experiences every time I have taken a vehicle to a dealer for servicing.
Barneys on Gandy is first that comes to mind. That’s another page, and bike all together so, I won’t dwell on it here.
That said, it was in fact the woman behind the counter in the service building across the street that was incomprehensibly rude, argumentative and refused to listen what I was saying that convinced me NEVER TO RETURN TO BARNEYS on GANDY blvd.. Should they fire her, I may, someday grace their parts dept with my money. (Barneys is where I bought my CB650SC back in the late 80′s. I was even a VIP member and still have the damn card!)
When I purchased this bike, My 2010 ST1300, I avoided Barneys and went to where we bought the Helix. West Coast Powersports in Clearwater. I also made a deal with myself that I would allow the dealer to do all servicing as to not compromise any purchased or factory warranties.
So, when the 600 mile servicing was due, I brought my ST1300 (Buckwheat) in to the service dept and braced myself for a sharp blood pressure increase and complete disgust with myself for buying new instead of used.
I was honestly expecting my “general” dealer service history experiences to repeat.
I mentioned that the RPMS were not stable. I also mentioned that I was told by a guy there, (I need to start writing down names) that is a common thing and will go away once broken in.
Well, I stood there relatively amazed! Service dept was very polite, informative and personable, far better than my previous experiences pretty much anywhere.
I would not hesitate to take my bike there again when required.
I guess all was fine with idle issue according the computer or whatever. If in fact that was checked as it is not noted on the receipt.
I do have an issue with a $139.02 bill for an oil change. $89 was labor. Looks like I will be forced to find out if changing my own oil will void any warranties.
I think oil changes there go for around $60 so the rest of the labor must have been attributed towards giving the bike a 600 mile once-over.
I am not complaining (well maybe) but, man is it expensive to service this thing. Looks like we will have to budget around $500 a year just for routine bike maintenance.
The bike was given the green light and I was on my way, smiling as I always do while riding my ST over 30 mph.
Well, I am at ~1900 miles and I am about to schedule a premature oil change, to synthetic BUT, the RPM issue is progressively noticeable. No, it is not gas related as I ONLY USE SUNOCO 93 octane and save the receipts to prove it. I will not use any other gas, period. (Only U.S. gas company that does not import middle eastern oil. Quality stuff. More on that HERE)
I can definitely feel the difference as the engine gets broken in but, the bike just does not like to be ridden at ~15 miles per hour, like in downtown areas. Or at ~25, eg lower speeds… between 2500 and 3200 it is really “sputtery”. Jumping, surging etc etc. Upon slow deceleration from around 3200, it decelerates quickly at times and still, as always “sputters” all so intermittent and slightly at any RPM when no air is being “forced down the thropes”. I have been riding for 35 years and have never had a bike do this with this consistency. I also never owned a bike of this power either so, new territory. My old CB650SC runs smoother, well… until I parked it for 3 months, for obvious reasons (carbs). The Honda Helix actually ran smoother but it was a Hondamatic 250cc and built for inner city travel. Note: We purchased the Helix from West Coast Powersports as well. We traded up to the ST1300 ~3 years later. My Helix experience, our experience with the sales staff, service department and all comments will be shared on another page here soon as I have some very informative input, as always.
I have done a lot of research into this and have talked to a lot of ST owners online. Everyone says their bikes run very smoothly and there may definitely be an issue with my bike.
It has been like this from day 1. But, all that is textual description on banner supported forums so, yeah. I supplied no video.
So, I called and scheduled an appointment for 12/07/2011. I told the service manager about the issue and expressed my concern with cost. He said “if the bike is still under warranty, there will be no cost.” “Honda takes care of its’ customers.” Well we bought the bike and padded warranty in August of 2011 and it is now December.
Today is Monday, 12/05/2011 and I can honestly say, I will probably not sleep until I get the word from the dealer about the status of my bike. If it costs money, I will be screwed as I have nothing to work with right now. I will also never return to have my bike serviced there and look into cancelling any extra warranties we paid for. (We had a bad experience with our Honda Pilots dealer service department on a supposed covered issue. The service department is in fact the key to our return business to sales AND service. Dealers need to address that better. Servicing should not be a “tooth pulling” experience.) If West Coast fixes the bike under warranty, or reassures me all is fine, I will express my appreciation by putting a premature synthetic oil change on a near maxed 30% interest credit card. I will also place positive posts on all my social networking sites, forums (st-owners etc) and naturally, here.
So, my bikes fate (and my trust in their service dept) is now in the hands of West Coast Powersports.
I will cross my fingers and hope for the best.
UPDATE!!
Well, to avoid an ulcer and get some sleep I expedited my appointment with West Coast Powersports.
I gave them a call and talked to another service guy “Ben” who told me to bring it up so, they can have a look. I did just that.
So, on 12/06/2011 at 11:30am I buzzed on up there. It was such a beautiful day and I had such a great pocket going up US19, I actually got in the mental riding “zone” and rode right past the place two miles before I realized it!
Well, I turned around and eventually got there. I talked to Ben and he sent out a very personable mechanic. I demonstrated the issue. He noticed what I was talking about. I told him it is more noticeable under load. He tended to agree that made sense.
We went in to see Ben and basically, yeah, he agreed it warrants a test ride. Ben approved.
The mechanic grabbed his helmet and rode her for about 15 minutes (and probably had a hard time coming back to work as it was a beautiful day).
He pulled in and we talked about the issue I had. Basically, I am probably splitting hairs and the sputtering does only occur right in the middle of a small range at very low speed at the top of first gear and bottom of second. The very personable mechanic said something to the effect: “She wants to go but, a bit more than 15mph (smiling)”. I agreed and laughed as well. I replied: “yeah, 115″ he just smiled big. We talked about the bike, my add-ons and how much each of us liked it. We also agreed the engine still feels a little “tight” as it really is not “broken in” even though for maintenance purposes, it is. 1900 miles is really nothing on this engine and we leaned towards our personal experience with new engines etc, etc..
I shook his hand and proceeded inside to thank Ben. He made sure I knew that if I had left it, and they found nothing it would have been $80 even though the bikes warranty is good until 2016. I thanked him understandably and again for circumventing that expense by approving a test ride by their certified mechanic. I also mentioned the oil change to synthetic. Well 4000 miles is the next scheduled one and the oil is still clean so, save a few bucks. Cool. I said “well, I’ll bring it in at around 3000 or so, another 1100-1200 miles so, see ya in a month!” They laughed and I was on my way with a reassured feeling in my gut that the service department at West Coast Powersports in Clearwater Florida will listen to me, not just take my money and provides an excellent, personable service.
Remember folks, these guys put up with people bitching all day long. I walked in smiling, courteous and respectful. (Even with my terrible experiences elsewhere.) They could have easily declined my request for a test ride as I am sure that is not standard procedure. I was sure I shook everyone hands and told them how much I appreciated their great service before I left. Perhaps they will remember me when I return and know that doing business with will be mutually positive experience as long as everyone remains well, mutually positive 
.
